Bali Villa Association Established

New Association Calls on Bali's Government to Clarify Regulatory Requirements for Commercial Villa Operations.

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(5/22/2006)

At a special party held on Friday, May 19, 2006, the Bali Villa Association (BVA) was formally launched as a division of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).

The first Chairman of the BVA, Ismoyo S, Soemarlan, told the Indonesian-language Bisnis Bali that the establishment of the new organization will help ease current steps to undertake a census of all villas operating in Bali by helping its members process the necessary operating permits and process the payment of taxes in connection with their villa operations. Soemarlan, who serves simultaneously as both the new association's Chairman and as one of the Vice-Chairmen of the PHRI, said villa operators in Bali do not generally wish to operate illegally but are thwarted in their efforts to become "legal" when confronted by a myriad of confusing and unclear regulations.

Soemarlan estimates that there are approximately 1,000 villa operating in Bali, the majority of which are operating without licenses. Because of this, the BVA, in cooperation with the Government and PHRI, are undertaking steps to inventory the villas and provide guidance to its members to fulfil regulatory requirements on licensing.

The Chairman of the PHRI-Bali, Ir. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, has called on villas to enhance their management, particularly in the installation of security systems for the protection of villa guests.

The founders of the BVA are quick to assure that the organization will not add to the problem of villa owners and is there to assist in the registration and legalization of commercial villas in Bali. Only fully legal villas will be admitted to membership while those villas falling short of the minimum legal requirements will be assisted in the application and fulfilment process.

The BVA has called on the Provincial Government to clarify the rules and regulations affecting villa operations in Bali.